Jobs for a Master's in Accounting?

People who love numbers, finance, business, and law often gravitate towards Masters in Accounting or even Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degrees. This is a chance to further one’s understanding of business and to explore different career options. Accounting is more than simply adding up numbers. Instead, it is about understanding tax law, gauging risk, keeping accurate records, and really understanding everything from small businesses to large corporations. A quick search on job sites Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com for “masters in accounting” provides a great list of possible positions and roles for people with this qualification. The following are some of the many jobs listed that one can pursue with a Masters in Accounting or MBA specializing in Accounting under his or her belt.

Actuaries
Actuaries help businesses create specific policies to minimize risk within the organization. Such professionals usually have in-depth knowledge of finance, business, and statistics, have to pass a series of tests, and are also skilled in creating and authenticating paperwork.

Appraisal and Valuation Professional or SpecialistThese professionals assess the value of different parts of a business or organization. For example, they can do everything from identity a business’s assets to identify the value of future purchases. This ensures a group understands their true financial situation.

AuditorAn auditor’s job is to make sure that a group’s accounting is valid. This means checking income, expenses, and looking at important financial records. An organization may have its own auditor to ensure money is well spent and government groups often send in their own auditors to make sure that all taxes are paid.

Budget AnalystA budget analyst is a professional who helps groups figure out their financial situation and how to make the most of it. These analysts will sit down with a business’s leadership and figure out a quarterly or even yearly working budget. This ensures a group does not overspend and is smart about its investments.

Compliance Manager
This account is in charge of fulfilling all financial reporting and documentation services for an organization. This might mean filing taxes, handling audits, and it may mean checking accuracy in record-keeping and other internal financial duties.

Forensic AccountantThis type of accountant works for law enforcement. Such a professional looks at documents to identify if crimes have been committed and to spot irregularities. Lawyers may also hire forensic accountants to help them sift through all paperwork and documents.

Internal AuditorAn internal auditor stays on top of how money is collected and spent within an organization. This professional ensures that all finances are properly managed. This ensures that a budget is followed, money is properly invested, and that tax laws are followed. An internal auditor ensures that major mistakes will not happen within an organization.

Risk Analyst This professional identifies an organization’s strengths and weaknesses and helps people make important financial decisions about how money is used. This is a chance to weigh the pros and cons of decisions and to consult with a professional.

Tax Examiners and Revenue AgentsThese professionals are in charge of reviewing both state and federal government tax returns. Such agents understand how to identify if returns are error free, can collect unpaid or overdue taxes, and are skilled at tax law.

TreasurersThese professionals are in charge of organization’s funds. Often, a treasurer works for a private organization or club. A master’s degree is helpful if an individual wants to take his or her skills to a government level.

There are many types of accounting jobs out there. People just need to pay attention to their needs, interests, and skill sets. This is a chance to really make a name for one's self. Businesses of all types and sizes need people who are skilled with finances and understand the inner workings of business. Having the right professional on one's team means that accounting will be in order and all laws will be followed. This in turn protects the future livelihood of an organization.

This article is presented by AIU. Contact us today if you’re interested in an opportunity to develop knowledge and relevant skills with an industry-current degree program from AIU.